You've probably heard of ES File Explorer before, even if you've never personally used it. The original developer of that app seems to have resurfaced on XDA with an alpha app that you might want to check out. fooView runs a small floating button that you can use to get around the phone, take screenshots, and perform searches in a snap. Well, in a swipe, I guess.

After installing fooView, you'll have to enable a few system features to let it do its thing. You can swipe the button to trigger back, home, and notifications. Swiping up opens the fooView UI where you can use gestures to open apps and web addresses. Probably the most impressive feature is when you drag the button out and hover for a moment. It lets you capture a part of the screen by drawing a box. A pop-up has options for searching for the image, saving, sharing, or translating based on text recognition.

I should point out, we can't say for sure this dev is truly the original maker of ES. The XDA account was created for this app (fvalpha) and the alpha is not hosted in the Play Store. However, the YouTube account does have some ES videos from a few years back, and the testing has been ongoing for a few weeks without anything fishy. At any rate, you can download the alpha of fooView and sideload it right now. It does seem pretty neat.

ES File Explorer, eh? I used to use it until I discovered the app sent data to Chinese servers. Coincidentally, the Solid Explorer Beta hit the Play Store around the same time. You can probably tell what I did next.

I digress. I don't buy it until proof is posted.

TriguyRN

If this is the man who he claims to be, then he probably sold it to the Chinese.

Lincoln Hawk(s)

I switched to "Amaze" from ES, but it doesn't seem to have support for network storage. I'm going to try "Solid" I guess. Have any idea what the difference between the classic and non-classic version is?

Ted Clubberlang

The classic one is older, I guess, with no material design yet a powerful one. I recently purchased the new Solid Explorer (2.0?) and I couldn't be more satisfied. Hands down the best file manager, IMO. Go for it. Worth every penny!

Roh_Mish

The non classic version is the new one.. Parts of it are rewritten.. It's stable for everyday use too.

mike shwilly

Switched to Solid Explorer too. Wish it also had file cleanup after uninstallation.

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someone755

SD Maid.

Prezes Dyrektor

Why hate the Chinese, uncle Sam ain't much better at least in terms of spying, and let's be honest, every app does spying

ddh819

ugh I didn't know that about ES File explorer. I've been using it for a long time.

dontpanicbobby

I miss the old ES File Explorer. I look forward to trying this new app. My gallery leaves much to be desired search wise.

I'm using 4.0.2.7 and it works fine without any bloat. I tried Solid and even though the app is excellent, I am too used to ES to switch to anything else. Also many explorers lack minor convenient features that ES has.

Just came here to say Disqus finally let me log back in. Not sure if it's OSX Beta or Chrome beta. Either way. I can comment again.

Gustash

Welcome back

Tom Green

I think this looks pretty cool, I'm just not a fan of floating buttons... They get in the way whatever you put them it seems. I think this would be genuinely useful on one of the Samsung edge phones though so you could hide it offscreen but still see it.